Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) of the Northern Illinois University wrestling program will compete at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championship in Kansas City, Missouri, March 21-23. Action will take place at the T-Mobile Center over the three-day tournament.

The first session starts Thursday at 11 a.m. CT before the evening session starts at 6 p.m. All matches will be on the ESPN family of networks (ESPN/ESPNU/ESPN+) throughout the tournament.

The redshirt sophomore makes his debut at the NCAA championships at 125 pounds, finished in second place at the Mid-American Conference Championships, March 8-9.

“Preparation has gone well (for Blake) throughout the season and in the last few weeks,” said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. “We are fired up to get on the road and compete at the best wrestling event there is. The (NCAA Championships) are always exciting and the best time of the year.”

West will face Jakob Camacho (13-4) of North Carolina State in the opening round on Thursday at 11 a.m. CT.

West had an impressive season, compiling a 27-6 overall record, 23-6 against Division I opponents, and went undefeated in all MAC duals (8-0). West compiled four major decisions, six technical falls, and six falls this season.

As he began the 2023-24 campaign, West went 17-2 before placing sixth at the annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships. West had an eight-match win streak throughout the months of January and February.

NIU extends their streak of at least one NCAA qualifier to 53-straight years with West’s qualification to the championships. This dates to 1972 when Larry Johnson earned All-America honors by taking fifth.

NIU has two national champions in its history, with Roy Conrad winning the Division I title in 1960 at 177 and Neal McDonald earning the Division II championship in 1965.

West is the 128th wrestler to participate in the national tournament in program history.

Single session tickets, venue information, game programs, and more will be available at NCAA.com.